Student Journalist's Home Study College Tutor goes missing

by Beaulieu | January 7, 2010 at 05:36 am

1869 views | 55 Recommendations | 28 comments

I have been doing a Higher Diploma College in Journalism for well over a year now; distance learning being the only way I can do such a course whilst having another job. I was doing it with National Home Study College.

As my holiday was cancelled due to the blizzards in the UK, I thought I would get stuck in with my course.

To be honest, I wasn't hugely looking forward to it as I had to write about 2000 words and write dreary stuff about the role of being a journalist, the kind of stuff that you just 'crib from the course work and from a few library books'. But, I had to do it to obtain my Higher Diploma. I needed extra strings to my bow. I had also paid a good deal of money for it.

So today, I had to ring up my tutor 'Philip August' as I needed an extra copy of some my work:

This is now it went:

Me on the phone: "Ring Ring".

Tutor (in Pinner): No answer, then a 'robotic voice' says the line is dead

"Odd", I thought.

Then I rang up National Enquiries to check the number. When I was given the new number, I spoke to the man on the line. It turns out that the tutor has 'moved' and the shop is now selling kitchens. He said he had a number of angry students turning up at his shop. He thinks they have moved from another address too.

So where has my tutor gone? And my college?

Other students from the UK have been saying they can't get hold of the college either and they are worried about their coursework and getting refunds.

Some read that it had gone into administration from the National Home Study College's website. They never told the students.

Yet, Companies House confirm that they are still registered under their London address. And insolvency officials say that they have not received any information of their 'liquidation'. They tell me that I have to wait for 14 days for Astra to contact Companies House. Companies House say they ares still awaiting accounts from them.

In the meantime, other students are saying that their 'Diplomas' are fraudulent.

I am now contacting Company Investigations to register my complaint about the company. I may have completely wasted my money and got a dodgy qualification too.

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Beaulieu

at 08:37 on January 7th, 2010

and the BBC are onto this matter already (21/12/09) . It looks like 'my tutor' (and probably everyone else's tutor), resigned in June and failed to speak to the BBC.

"A government minister has said action could be taken against a London-based college for issuing diplomas that are not officially recognised.

BBC South East ran an investigation into the National Home Study College - a distance learning company - after cases came to light in Kent and Sussex.

Consumer affairs minister Kevin Brennan said action was being considered.

Philip August, of Rickmansworth, said he resigned as a college director in June, and declined to be interviewed. Students who signed up with the college claimed they did not receive coursework, and could not get their results.

Others said they had unauthorised payments taken from their bank accounts and could not get refunds. UCAS, the university admissions body, said it did not recognise any of the National Home Study College qualifications.

Mr Brennan said: "My understanding is that trading standards are going to co-ordinate around this case and look into this particular case to see what action can be brought against the organisers of this college."

"Intervention by trading standards has seen complainants in individual cases being compensated, but plans for sustained investigations by a local authority trading standards service have so far been disrupted by the company regularly changing address. "

They always gave me my coursework on time and my payments were not duplicated, but they did disappear off the face of the earth and it looks like the qualifications are now fake.

This has made a huge impact in my career but they always say 'there is a meaning to everything'. Maybe, I just will have to wait.

Beaulieu

at 10:11 on January 7th, 2010

Looks like he has set up another company..... where is he?

cookie monster (not verified)

at 10:24 on January 7th, 2010

The guy had a multi talented brain.... he tought so many courses at the same time. he was my tutor for Child Psychology,

M.Bradley (not verified)

at 03:38 on January 23rd, 2010

Phillip August was also my tutor for Veterinary Nursing! I paid a lot of my to do this course and i am disappointed. Does anyone know how i can get my money back?

Beaulieu

at 11:19 on January 7th, 2010

I checked on Google and you only have to see so many 'Scamming' addresses using the postcode WC1M 3XX.

It is amazing how easy it is to set up a business. You kind of wonder whether Companies House do any checks.

No doubt the new company will even be at the same address:-)

That guy is a busy man. Shame he left his Reg No on the BBC documentary..

Beaulieu

at 11:34 on January 7th, 2010

I have given the police August's registration number.. they should have done that ages ago. He should be where his car is. The police officer I spoke to said 'I will see what I can do'.

Jordan Yerman

at 13:10 on January 7th, 2010

This sort of thing happens quite a bit in the US, too, and probably pretty much everywhere else.

Perhaps ironically, here you are doing a bit of journalism about it: hopefully they track this guy down.

Beaulieu

at 15:13 on January 7th, 2010

We need to find previous cases like this one in 2008 where another bloke was sent to jail for something similar:

estelle beninson (not verified)

at 05:25 on March 15th, 2010

I first took a course on animal behaviour with them. It was boring. I did my essays and they got marked and I got an A for them. Then they stopped marking them. I forgot about it because it wasnt a good course. However, they then sent me a letter asking if I wanted t do their tutor marking course, which would guarantee work. I paid for that, the course arrived. I completed the first assisgnment and then found out they had put my debit card through again.I investigat4d, found a lot of other people involved and finally gave my details to a BBC journalist who told me they had been trading whilst insolvent. (This means their limited company protection doesnt apply and you can sue them whether or not they are bankrupt. I allso went to the police and trading standards, who promised action but little happened. Finally NHS wrote to me that thy had gone bust and I got the money from the second cours4 and the fraudulent charge refunded through my bank, Nationwide. Other people havent been so lucky and their banks have been unhelpful. If anyone wants further details on this please phone me on 0617735035.As he was trading whilst insolvent its till possibl to sue Mr August personally, and you could start a group action. As for John Siemens, all I know about him is that he uses several bogus names.Incidentally, most of the info for th course4s is cut and pastd from online encyclopaedias.Is he still in business. Shortly before he went bankrupt he started a new college with several new courses including forensic parapsychology, I have been in contact withoabout thirty people he has s windled but the number could be vast because he was operating out of this country with sevral othr bogus colleges as well.Also get onto your MP cos there are attempts to tighten up the rules on colleges like this. This isnt the only bogus college. Since tllilng people about my complaint I have come across two others.Ring me if you want to chat about this.I

lisbeth bylov (not verified)

at 14:35 on March 21st, 2010

Hi Estelle. I just red about this jounalist student who got screewed!! well I'm one of the very angry students too. Can you help me in how i get my money back. I only paid £95 but still it;s alt for me... Im so f****** upset. I soooo hope someone catch those bastards. I wanted to be a physiotherapist for animals, haven't givin up on my dream though. Thanxxx Lisbeth.

Beaulieu

at 15:21 on January 7th, 2010

Well, we need to find previous cases like this one in 2008. Someone else did a similar thing: We can learn from it...

"Fake college boss sent to prison Michael and Angela Smallman "struggled to keep the college afloat"

A man who ran a bogus college in a £16m fraud which involved 80,000 students has been jailed for seven years. Michael Smallman, 45, of Northallerton, was convicted of fraudulent trading while his wife Angela was convicted of money laundering in October.

Smallman ran the National Distance Learning College (NDLC) in Middlesbrough which collapsed in 2001. His wife was jailed for 15 months.

Only 18 students received diplomas from the college, Teesside Crown Court heard. The college's directors, Peter Kenyon, 43, and John Hornsby, 59, were cleared of fraud after a four-month trial earlier this year. The court heard Smallman tempted 80,000 students to sign up for his home study courses, netting him £10m in 15 months."

Amy Judd

at 15:29 on January 7th, 2010

Wasn't the University of Phoenix in trouble for this kind of thing?

stejeb

at 13:20 on January 7th, 2010

I hope they catch him too.

And punish him severely......

Why is it so difficult for these people to be brought to book?

Beaulieu

at 14:53 on January 7th, 2010

I think the trick is to some how make it into a 'crime' not a civil 'dispute'.

Beaulieu

at 14:58 on January 7th, 2010

The police should have his real address, even if they won't let us have it.

Beaulieu

at 06:00 on January 9th, 2010

Well it must be ages because it appears he was still 'at it' since 2004 according to an article by the Echo. Trading Standards were on to them in even then.. appears nothing has happened. Funny old world.

"TRADING standards officials in Bournemouth are using education legislation to investigate a long distance college, after a Bournemouth MBE recipient was allegedly led to believe that she was studying for a doctorate.

Bournemouth West MP Sir John Butterfill has also taken on the case of Beatrice Harris MBE who spent seven years studying psychology and criminology at home under the European College Collective, and received certificates stating `doctorate'.

But when the 55-year-old from Kinson approached higher education professionals to find out about teaching her subject, she was told that her qualification was worthless and not legitimate. She said: "I was devastated. I spent more than 12 hours a day seven days a week on my studies and no point realised my certificates were worthless. "I spent just under £2,700.

Keith Evans, senior technical officer for trading standards, said: "Mrs Harris came to us with a problem regarding the validity of certificates awarded to her.

We are looking at possible offences under the Education Reform Act which makes it illegal for any organisation other than ones that have a Royal Charter or are authorised by the Secretary of State to make awards which claim to be degrees and doctorates etc."

Sir John said: "I was absolutely shocked to hear what had happened to Mrs Harris and have written to the Minister for Education, Tim Collins, asking for an investigation to be made into this college."

Principal tutor at National Home Study College, Philip August, said that the college has always been known as National Home Study College and denied that it had ever gone by any other name. He said: "Unfortunately I can't discuss it with you. Mrs Harris made a complaint to Trading Standards and there may be the threat of a legal case.

When asked about the claims that the college has gone by several different names over the years he said: "Your information is incorrect. We have always been called National Home Study College".

In response to Philip August's reply to the allegations Mrs Harris said: "That's what he was trading under to begin with - the ACT. He is just trying to cover his tracks. It was ACT when I started but all the certificates said `European College Collective' and at the very end `European Network'. I have got everything here to prove it. They said they were one of the leading distance learning providers."

and there is more on this story, in September...

Beaulieu

at 05:52 on January 9th, 2010

Hello hello hello.. what have we here? A conviction in September 2004 for awarding a fake doctorate, fancy that:-

From the Echo, first published Wednesday 15th Sep 2004.

The principal of a long distance learning college has been convicted of awarding a fake doctorate to a Bournemouth MBE recipient who had studied seven years for the qualification.

Philip August, who runs the European College Collective in Middlesex, pleaded guilty at Wimborne Magistrates to purporting to grant an award that could be taken to confer the title of doctorate.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Beatrice Harris MBE from Kinson paid nearly £3,000 to Mr August over the years, financing what she thought was a doctorate in psychology and criminology.

But when the 55-year-old approached higher education professionals to find out about teaching her subject, she was told that her qualification was worthless and not legitimate. Mrs Harris then lodged a complaint with trading standards officials who instigated legal proceedings against August, of High Street, Pinner.

She said: "His conviction is an excellent result but I hope that he's not allowed to trade anymore under false pretences.

August, 44, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £750 compensation and £175 costs. Bournemouth trading standards officer Andy Sherriff said: "We are pleased that the courts have seen sense and saw that Mr August made efforts to avoid the law and use loopholes in it to defraud Mrs Harris.

He must have found another loophole then and what will Mrs Harris think about this?

Amy Judd

at 13:55 on January 7th, 2010

Gosh this is awful! Hope you can get this sorted out soon, I can't believe people can do this to one another.

Beaulieu

at 05:54 on January 10th, 2010

This is what greets 'students' at the National Home Study 'College's website:

"IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Astra Corporation Ltd, trading as National Home Study has now ceased to trade.

All enquiries should be addressed to the company's registered office below, and all mail will be forwarded onto the Official Receiver.

BCM National Home Study
London
WC1N 3XX

Beaulieu

at 07:25 on January 10th, 2010

and at 5 High Street, Pinner where my tutor was 'supposed to have left' it is now a kitchen company .. belonging to the 'ceased' Astra Corporation Ltd:- #

"The Astra Corporation Ltd www.purposebuiltinteriors.co.uk

Contact Details The Astra Corporation Ltd Address: 5 High St., Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5PJ, UK Telephone: work0870 242 7141 Web: www.purposebuiltinteriors.co.uk

and this particular telephone number was the same one as National Home Studies College... a bit of a coincidence. They have since changed their number.

Beaulieu

at 08:49 on January 10th, 2010

Here they are, National Home Study College in Rickmansworth, springing up from nowwhere:- National Home Study College

Cardinal Point/Park Rd
Rickmansworth
WD3 1RE
Tel: 01923 432638

I rang them, but there is no ansaphone message. It does not say that it is a 'dead line'. Will have to try later.

Beaulieu

at 08:24 on January 10th, 2010

It is scary as looking online the National Health Service are using 'Counsellors' with diplomas from the National Home Study College.

Stephanie Austin (not verified)

at 05:32 on January 21st, 2010

"Cardinal Point/Park Rd, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RE, Tel: 01923 432638"

THIS IS NOT THEM!

This company is a dot-net company that deals with content management systems starting from 10K.

I too would love to get my hands on NATIONAL HOME STUDY. I was 2 essays away from completing Forensic criminology and criminal profile HD, and now to find out they are 'fake' qualifications. I think I was quite fortunate as I had verry good support and my work way always returned 'marked' in good time.

Not all is lost - I'm thinking of my 2 years as 'extensive research' into the subject. I am now contacting local colleges and Unis to see if I can do a similar course. This way my hard work hasn't gone to waste.

They may be able to take our money and pull the wool over our eyes, but they can not remove the knowledge I have gained.

At least I can use them as a case study for future essays! lol

Beaulieu

at 13:32 on January 24th, 2010

Stephanie ... it was them.. they have fled from that place, months ago. Do they keep a pair of running trainers at each 'office'?

It is hard to keep tabs of this 'company'. I wonder how the Inland Revenue can even find them. I bet they will hunt them down though.. somehow. They always find a way. It is funny they are behind with the accounts according to Companies House with all that money we gave them.

Where do you get this info about a 'dot-matrix co'.. this adds to the mystery....have you got a link?

I actually found my 'course interesting' and I did learn about journalism history, even if it was a 'bit out of date'. It would have been nice to have a diploma (a real one), at the end of it, writing 2000 word essays was hard work.

I am going to study art I have decided.. at a proper college. Something completely different from journalism. I have always wanted to do that. Mr August and his 'company' makes good cartoon 'fodder' too:-)

Dee Jay (not verified)

at 16:42 on January 27th, 2010

I just read all the comments and I am proper p**sed off. Only because I am doing a Psychology and Crime Deliquency diploma course with them. And now that i learnt that they are a bogus company and dish out fake diplomas, i am gutted. What a waste of time, effort and money. Been better if I had enrolled with the Open Uni.

keli wormington (not verified)

at 05:11 on February 2nd, 2010

Ive only just found out about this this morning when i tried to ring them about my course, i had finished a diploma in animal behaviour last year and they offered me a job marking for them. I enroled on the tutor marking course and im 1 essay away from finishing!!!!! I feel such a fool, does anyone know what is going on and if i should be contacting anyone :(

GatorX (not verified)

at 01:20 on March 23rd, 2010

Last year I lost my husband and he knew how I felt about <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Egypt and encouraged me to do a course on Egytpoloy. So I found National Home Study and decided to take the plunge. I got my first assignment and was really enjoying it I sent it off to them and had no reply after a month so I got in touch with them after about a couple more weeks I got an email saying they were moving offices and will get to my assignment shortly and let me know in a couple of days.So I waited patiently. Nothing I went on to the website and it was still up and running so I emailed again. Nothing I went on the website again and only the front page was there, with an address of the MD so I wrote to him and got no reply. I am really fed up and very disappointed, I was doing something I really liked and help me through losing my husband now I have no course to do and lost my money. Does anybody have any idea who the Receivers are?Where do we go from here? I am reluctant now to go to a different home study course and I don’t know if I can trust anymore.

TM (not verified)

at 06:43 on April 3rd, 2010

I started off with a Egyptian archaeology course at £195, finished that with a supposed A grade. This was in 2004. I was thrilled, so I carried on to the next which was a Higher Diploma in Egyptian Archaeology at £395. Again I finished this with an A Grade. I was invited to take a Fellowship in Egyptian Archaeology for £595. I wasn't sure if I could afford this, but they were offering a Buy 1 Get 1 Free course for that month, after taking it through with my husband and for the fact that I was enjoying the courses, I believed that this would help me get to the next level to enroll with a proper University that did correspondence courses in MA in Egyptian Studies. I have started this course and got a free course in Fellowship of Classical Archaeology. I now know that these diplomas counted for nothing. The elated feeling that I had over getting such good grades now makes me feel quite nauseous and I don't really know how good my studies are. This is £1000 and 6 years (countless number of hours) that has been wasted on these courses when I could have been studying accredited courses. I did not enter into it blind. I did searches on the college before enrolling in 2004 and only found more or less good things said about the college.